Measuring Medical Students’ Awareness of Rational Drug Use and Assessing Associated Factors

Aim: To measure Selcuk University Medical Faculty (SUMF) students’ levels of awareness of rational drug use (RDU) in adults and to assess related factors. Material and Methods: The data for this descriptive, cross-sectional study were derived from an online questionnaire completed by SUMF students; the questionnaire employed a sociodemographic survey and the Rational Drug Use Scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS software, and a p-value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Four hundred and forty-six students (51.1% women, 48.9% men) participated in this study. The results showed that awareness of correct drug use was higher in women than in men (p=.01) and that awareness of correct drugs (p=.007), correct use (p=.003), and RDU (p=.002) were higher in clinical students than in preclinical students. Awareness of correct information (p=.008), correct drugs (p=.03), correct use (p=.009), and RDU (p=.002) were higher in students who took RDU education than in those who did not. Awareness of correct information (p=.018), correct use (p=.002), and RDU (p=.015) were also higher in students who considered RDU education necessary than in those who did not. Conclusion: The results of this research indicate that students’ RDU awareness levels should be improved. Effective, formal and non-formal education opportunities should continue to be used and developed to create and spread awareness of RDU.